Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963

December 14, 2012 to September 15, 2013

Second floor east

Reprinted

On August 28, 1963, at the March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. began his speech by declaring, "Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity ... In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check."

In 2013 the country will commemorate two events that changed the course of the nation – the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the 1963 March on Washington. Standing as milestone moments in the grand sweep of American history, these achievements were the culmination of decades of struggles by individuals – both famous and unknown – who believed in the American promise that this nation was dedicated to the proposition that "all men are created equal." Separated by 100 years, they are linked together in a larger story of freedom and the American experience.

To commemorate these two pivotal achievements, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture will present an exhibition that explores the historical context of these two crucial events, their accomplishments and limitations, and their impact on the generations that followed. The exhibition will be on view from Dec. 14, 2012 through Sept. 15, 2013.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Tuesday, the day after the 57th Presidential Inauguration I went to tour the Capitol Building and the Library of Congress. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the tour guides mention the contributions of Black people.

SkychiTravels in Emancipation Hall

"Skychitravels" in Emancipation Hall of Capitol Hill Visitor's Center

During the Capitol Building Tour our guide stated that slaves helped to build the building.

Capitol Building Tour Guide in National Statuary Hall location of President Obama's Inaugural Luncheon

Our tour guide lead us to the basement of the Capitol Building where he showed us an archway through which passed Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt for their inaugurations.

Capitol Hill Archway of the original wall built by slaves

I was full of pride about the contributions of my people being recognized in a history and cultural tour of the Capitol Building, especially after celebrating the second inauguration of the first African American President Barack Obama.

Library of Congress Tour Guide Tom pointing out the race of the statues in main hall

Then I met the second tour guide at the Library of Congress who was an enigma. Old Tom stated that something happened yesterday but he didn't know what it was. Next Tom said something about insulting us (Black) and not caring. Everyone in the group was shocked.

Frescos in the Library of Congress

There were two other African American ladies and myself present when our tour guide Tom directed these statements at us. Another husband and wife couple joins who are also African American. Tom points to the frescos and states Blacks placed those stones in the ceiling. He says to the wife of the African American couple something about her getting up there to put those stones in place.

Then another woman who is White walks over to me and asked if I was going to do something about this. I looked at her and shook my head, No. I really did not know what to do or say, none of us knew.

I was thinking. What the hell was his problem? Should I leave? Is he a volunteer? Can you fire a volunteer? Should I join another group? To whom should I complain? Why is he so hateful? Why do old folks feel like they can say whatever they want to say?

There is something going on. This is not about me.

Library of Congress White and Asian Children Sculptures

No one left the tour at that point. We all followed him into the main hall of the Library of Congress. Tom begins to share with us the representation of the races of the children. There are four children representing the White, Asian, African, and Indian people. These were the four races recognized in America by the Library of Congress in 1897.

Library of Congress Indian and African Children Sculptures

Now I get it. Old Tom doesn't want to talk about the contributions of Black People or recognize that we exist in history and culture. This is the way my mind interpreted Old Tom's words and actions.

Tom tells the group about the 33 races represented on the outside of the Library of Congress in 1897. There are faces in groups of threes on the corners of the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congress. Then Tom says they had to make up some races like the blonde and brunette race to complete the 33 races because they ran out of races. Tom repeats this statement two or three times.

I am thinking to myself that does not make sense. Sculptures do not have any color. One can't tell if a sculpture is blonde or brunette. This made me curious.

So, I returned the next day to repeat the tours at the Capitol Building and the Library of Congress. This time I joined a tour at the Library of Congress lead by Mary, an African American woman who has been leading tours since 2002. Of course this was a completely different experience to the previous tour with Tom.

Library of Congress Children Sculptures Representing Various Occupations in 1897

Mary explained the meaning of the sculpture children representing the various work occupations in 1897 that all are welcome to the Library of Congress no matter your occupation.

Tour Guide Mary leading a group at the Library of Congress

After the tour with Mary, I walked outside the Jefferson building of the Library of Congress to see the faces of the 33 races represented in 1897.

Faces of 3 Races on the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building

As you can see, there are no blond or brunette races as stated by Old Tom.

What Old Tom didn't say was that there are 5 faces of African Race on the back of the Library of Congress.

Five African Faces on the Rear of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building

Thanks to Old Tom, I discovered a National Treasure of Monuments to Black History. In 1897, Library of Congress recognized 5 African faces. My pride has returned thanks to Old Tom lies and my curiosity.I stand corrected Old Tom stated there was a blonde, brunette and redhead race; there in fact are blonde and brunette races depicted on the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.Read more at What are the races depicted on the Library of Congress?